Configuring Rolling Forecast Layouts

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to create rolling forecast layouts.

Rolling Forecast Layouts

You can create a rolling forecast layout that dynamically generates time members based on the system date. The time interval of a rolling forecast layout automatically changes based on the current month.

Data table and the forecast layout panel.

Rolling forecasts allow the easy display of a few periods of actuals in the past followed by a few periods of the future forecast data.

With SAP Analytics Cloud, you can easily create a rolling forecast table using the Forecast Layout table type. The table in your story has a version with data that you want to use for the forecast periods. If it doesn't have one, you can use Version Management to create one.

Create a Forecast Layout

Simply choose Forecast Layout as the type of cross-tab you want to use.

Creating a forecast layout table from the table structure.

The Forecast Layout panel, consists of the following sections.

Forecast Layout Panel with numbers 1-4, which is explained below.
  1. Layout
    • Look back on: The version for looking back (probably Actuals). You can also create an input control to allow users to choose the look back version.
    • Look ahead on: The version for forecasting or looking ahead. You can also create an input control to allow users to choose the look ahead version.
    • Cut-over date: The date of the change from Look back on and Look ahead on. Options are:
      • Today: The current date; this is the default choice.
      • Specific Date: In the Select member for Date dialog box, select the date or add a dynamic filter with a New Calculation Input Control.
      • Last Booked (Actuals): The latest date of data entered for the Actuals version.
  2. Timeframe
    • When Type is Forecast
      • Granularity: Choose the granularity of the time interval: Quarter or Month.
      • Range: Choose Year to display forecast-year months or choose Quarter to display forecast-quarter months.
      • Look back additional: Enter the number of time intervals and set the granularity of the look-back (Year, Quarter, or Month).
      • Look ahead additional: Type the number of time intervals and set the granularity of the look-ahead (Year, Quarter, or Month).
    • When Type is Rolling Forecast
      • Look back: Type the number of time intervals and set the granularity of the look-back (Year, Quarter, or Month).
      • Look ahead: Type the number of time intervals and set the granularity of the look-ahead (Year, Quarter, or Month).
  3. Calculation: Sum the data values for either the Cut-over Year, All periods, Look ahead periods, or None (does not sum).
  4. Additional Versions: The settings you make in the Forecast Layout dialog box determine how your table will compare Actuals with Forecast data. This feature allows you to see a Delta column for the difference between the values in the forecast layout and any other version that is not already in the table.

Example: Forecast Type Layout with Monthly Granularity

In the following example, the layout Type is set to Forecast, the Granularity is Month, and the Look back additional and Look ahead additional are set to blank. This results in actual and plan columns but only for the forecast year.

Example of forecast type layout with monthly granularity.

Hint

In the table header, you can use the Hidden hyperlink to view members that are hidden based on the rolling forecast selections.

Example: Forecast Type Layout with Quarterly Granularity

If the granularity is changed to Quarterly, the months appear in nodes by quarter in the columns.

Example of forecast type layout with quarterly granularity

Create a Rolling Forecast Input Form

Task 1: Create a Forecast Layout with Dynamic Columns

Business Scenario: You need to combine periods of actual data with periods of forecast data to provide a rolling forecast input form where the columns are dynamic.

Task Flow: In this practice exercise, you will:

  • Change the data table to a forecast layout
  • Customize the layout to include dynamic columns
ExerciseStart Exercise

Task 2: Create a Forecast Layout with a Slider Bar

Business Scenario: Your planners need to have control over the cut-over date in the story and require an eighteen month rolling horizon with three months of actuals and fifteen future months. You decide to add an input control with a slider bar to allow them to determine the month and year.

Task Flow: In this practice exercise, you will:

  • Add a calculation input control
  • Configure the forecast layout
  • Use the slider in the story
ExerciseStart Exercise

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